M A I N   N E W S

India, US define contours of road map to boost ties
Ashish Kumar Sen in Washington DC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama have produced a road map for the bilateral relationship that commits India and the US to new and diverse areas of collaboration in the years ahead.

The most significant outcome of the White House meeting on Tuesday was a decision by the US and India to collaborate on dismantling the safe havens and disrupting the financial networks of LeT, JeM, Haqqani Network, Al Qaida and D-Company.

The joint statement released after the meeting spells out cooperation and commitments in the following areas:

Homeland security

Both leaders stressed the need for “joint and concerted efforts” against Pakistan-based terrorist groups and reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.

They reaffirmed their concern over the threat posed by terrorist groups, including the Islamic State; pledged to prevent the spread of counterfeit currency, limit the use of cyberspace by terrorists, and identify modalities to exchange terrorist watch lists.

Economic growth

Obama and Modi committed to facilitating another five-fold increase in trade. They pledged to establish an Indo-US Investment Initiative with special focus on capital market development and financing of infrastructure, and an Infrastructure Collaboration Platform to enhance participation of US companies in infrastructure projects in India.

US businesses will be the lead partner in developing smart cities in Ajmer, Vishakapatnam and Allahabad. The US will send two trade missions to India next year that will focus on meeting India’s infrastructure needs.

Modi and Obama also committed to advancing the PM’s goal of improving access to clean water and sanitation. USAID, through the Urban India Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Alliance, will serve as knowledge partner to help leverage private and civil society innovation and technology to support Modi’s Clean India Campaign.

Modi and Obama discussed their concerns about the current impasse at the WTO. They committed to work through the Trade Policy Forum to promote a business environment attractive for companies to invest and manufacture in India and the US; and agreed to establish an Intellectual Property Working Group.

Energy and climate change

Modi and Obama reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the US-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement and established a contact group tasked with advancing the implementation of civil nuclear energy cooperation through US-built nuclear power plants in India.

Obama and Modi agreed to a “new and enhanced strategic partnership” on energy security, clean energy, and climate change. They agreed to strengthen and expand the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy.

They launched a US-India Partnership for Climate Resilience and a US-India Climate Fellowship Program to build long-term capacity to address climate change-related issues in both countries.

Defence

Modi and Obama renewed by another 10 years the 2005 Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship. India and the US have also agreed to expand military-to-military partnerships, including expert exchanges, dialogues, and joint training and exercises. They also committed to enhancing exchanges of civilian and military intelligence and consultation, and intensifying cooperation in maritime security.

Visas

India will introduce visa on arrival for US citizens and will work towards joining the US Global Entry Programme that will facilitate the travel of Indians to the US.

High technology and space

The US will, for the first time, be a partner country at the annual Technology Summit in India in November. The two sides committed to convening the ninth High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG).

Modi and Obama also agreed to partner on the Digital India initiative, which seeks to enhance digital infrastructure, deploy e-governance and e-services, promote industry collaboration, and digitally empower India’s citizens.

Obama welcomed India’s proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks under which India would host up to 1,000 American academics each year to teach at Indian universities. They greeted the establishment and planned first meeting of the NASA-ISRO Mars Joint Working Group.

Health

Obama acknowledged India’s efforts against the Ebola virus, the first case of which was reported in the US this week. They agreed to develop affordable vaccines for dengue, malaria, and tuberculosis. They also agreed to start cooperating on cancer research.

Global and regional issues

Obama affirmed that India meets the Missile Technology Control Regime requirements and is ready for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The two leaders discussed current collaboration on agricultural innovation in three African countries and Afghanistan.

They expressed concern about China’s ambitions in the South China Sea, called on Iran to comply with its UN Security Council-imposed obligations and to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Obama, meanwhile, reaffirmed US support for a permanent seat for India on a reformed UN Security Council.